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Maggie 1.6QR vs 3.6R and Room Size

Hi,
I've recently moved house and my new listening space is 60'x32'.
I'm using a small monitor speaker (QLN Signature Splitfield II's) and they do a fair job in this larger room, but not great, which is understandable given their small dimensions.
I'm looking at Maggies as the probable choice for an upgrade, but I'm leaning toward the 1.6QR due to cost. My budget is around $4, so if I went for the 3.6's I wouldn't have much left for amplification (current amp is a CJ CAV 50 integrated).
So the question is this: will the 1.6's work in this size room, or should I wait and get more cash together for the 3.6's?
What kind of results might I expect with the 1.6....is there a possibility of ribbon problems when playing at spl's high enough to charge this size room?
Also, does anyone have experience of using the 1.6's with 50w tubes like the CJ CAV?...if this is too small, can anyone recommend a good tubed partner for the 1.6.

I do not have the opportunity to audition these speakers, so would have to commit and buy a used pair on AG then hope for the best.

Lastly, I have a pair of Apogee Caliper Signature II's that have some ribbon damage on one speaker...does anyone think it might be better going through the hassle of having these repaired?....how do they perform in a large room and how do they compare against the 1.6QR

So many problems, so many questions!!

Many thanks in advance for input and insight from a knowledgable audiophile.

Rooze
rooze

Showing 1 response by eldartford

eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Some folk, like me, prefer the quasi ribbon to the true ribbon, and then there are concerns about the reliability of the true ribbon. (But Magnepan does repair at reasonable cost).

I have three MG 1.6, which permits me to play (without strain) just as loud as two MG 3.6.

Magnepan speakers MUST be shipped in the very elaborate packing material provided with new units. Beware if you buy second hand. (The packing material is available for purchase through Magnepan).

I have run my MG 1.6 on two Adcom amps, one rated at 100 watts into 4 ohms, the other rated at 350 watts. No comparison. I even tried them with a QSC prosound amp rated at 450 watts, and it might have surpassed the 350 watt Adcom.
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